Trainer Cesar Paublini with his client Melky Cabrera in May 2012, less than three months before Cabrera was suspended for a positive testosterone test. / Photo via facebook

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Cruz, the Texas Rangers' All-Star outfielder, has not tested positive for a banned substance under Major League Baseball's drug-testing policy.

Tuesday, however, a Miami New Times story alleged that Cruz received performance-enhancing drugs from a Miami clinic along with several confirmed dopers, including outfielder Melky Cabrera, who was suspended 50 games for a positive testosterone test in August 2012.

Cruz and Cabrera have a common connection to training in South Florida, and it's one Cruz tried to distance himself from last year.

In September 2012, USA TODAY Sports asked Cruz about his involvement with Miami-based trainer Cesar Paublini, who was lauded by Cabrera for his work in training him. Cabrera, who worked out under Paublini's supervision in the offseason, was leading the National League in batting and coming off an MVP performance in the All-Star Game when he was suspended 50 games.

Cruz initially denied training or knowing Paublini when first approached by a reporter. Approached again the next day, Cruz kept looking at his cell phone instead of the reporter and said, "What's his name?''

Cesar Paublini, he was told.

"Cesar Paublini?''

Told Paublini has a photo of him on his Facebook page, Cruz became a bit more forthcoming, explaining that the gym where he was regularly working out in Miami â?? Bommarito Performance Systems â?? only trained pro athletes from Monday through Friday.

"I didn't want to take two days off, so one Saturday we went out and ran up a mountain and then went to a gym,'' Cruz said. "That's the only time I recall. I didn't know he was Melky's trainer.

"We went out and ran and they were working out there too.''

Who?

"I can't remember,'' Cruz said. "There was a pitcher for Atlanta and two Mets guys.''

Shown the photo where he appears with Cabrera, Paublini and another person wearing a New York Mets shirt, Cruz said, "Yeah, it was that day,'' and identified the fourth person as Mets minor-leaguer Cesar Puello.

Finally, Cruz said of Paublini, "I just met him that day. That was the only day I trained with him. I was working out with Bommarito.''

Paublini did not return several phone messages from USA TODAY Sports, which tracked him down in a gym where he trains clients in southwest Miami.

He steadfastly declined interview requests but did say Cruz is not a client. Paublini was not mentioned in the New Times story and has not been linked to the Biogenesis clinic now under scrutiny.

Cruz was not available for comment Tuesday. The Texas Rangers released a statement saying that they "were contacted late last week by Miami New Times regarding the story posted this morning. At that time, the Rangers contacted Major League Baseball on that inquiry. The team has no further comment."